Personalizing the smartphone interface is one of the most enjoyable aspects of owning a device, especially when it comes to popular models of the Chinese brand. Users often look for ways to make a widget with a picture in shaomi to turn the desktop into a unique space that reflects their style and tastes. Modern shells MIUI and the new HyperOS provide ample opportunities for customization, allowing you to post photos directly on the lock screen or among the icons of applications.
The process of installing an image depends on which interface element you want to create: it can be a Photos widget, a standard gallery or third-party widgets. It is important to understand the difference between a static image and a dynamic slideshow, as the settings for them may differ. In this article, we will discuss all the available methods in detail so that you can choose the most suitable option for your device model.
Before we make any changes, it's worth noting that the layout of menu items can vary slightly depending on the version of the operating system. However, the basic principle of working with widgets remains the same for the entire ecosystem. As you prepare for the setup, make sure you have access to the gallery and the rights to make changes to the system.
The main types of widgets for displaying images
The first step in personalization is to choose the type of widget that works best for your tasks. There are several built-in tools for working with graphics on the desktop on Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones, each with its own display features and functionality.
The most popular option is the Wallpaper Carousel widget, which automatically changes images when you lock your screen or on your desktop. Users often use the standard Gallery widget to pin one particular photo or album. For minimalist fans, there are calendar or watch widgets with a built-in background picture.
⚠️ Note: Some widgets may consume more battery power if they are set to update content frequently or use animations.
When you're choosing between static and dynamic, think about how often you want to see new images. If you want to change your images constantly, dynamic widgets are better. If a particular photo is important, you should choose a static fix.
Setting up the “Photos” widget on the desktop
Photowallet is a proprietary feature that allows you to create slideshows from your chosen images directly on your desktop, and to activate this mode, you need to go to screen editing mode, and do this by pressing a blank area of your desktop for a long time or pinching the screen with two fingers.
In the menu that opens, select "Widgets." In the list of available items, find a category associated with the system or tools, and select "Photos." The system will offer several options for the size of the widget, from a small preview card to a large block that occupies half the screen. Choose the appropriate size and drag it to the vacant space.
Once you have the widget on the screen, you can set up an image source setting menu, select photos from the built-in gallery, use images from the cloud, or subscribe to thematic collections. The algorithm is simple: the system will automatically switch cadds at a given time interval.
☑️ Setting up the wallpaper
To fine-tune the frame rate, tap the widget or go to the theme settings, and you can set the time of each slide, for example, every 15 minutes or every time you turn on the screen, so you can control how often the picture will be updated on your smartphone.
Using the Gallery widget for static photos
If your goal is to fix one particular photo, like a portrait of a loved one or a motivating image, you might want to use a standard gallery widget, which is ideal for those who prefer stability and don't want the images to change without their knowledge. The installation process is similar to the previous one, but requires a different type of widget.
In the widget menu, find the Gallery app, which often has a few design options: a square, a rectangle, or a circle. Once you drag the widget to your desktop, the system will immediately prompt you to select a photo from your library, you can scroll through the albums and select the image you want.
An important feature is the ability to choose the display mode. Some gallery widgets allow you to display several photos as a collage, while others focus on a single frame. Image resolution also plays a role: for large widgets, it is better to choose high-quality photos to avoid pixelation.
| Type of widget | Dynamics | Battery consumption | Best application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Photowallpaper | Automatic shift | Medium. | Frequent change of decor |
| gallery | Static photo | Low. | Personal photos |
| Calendar | Static background | Low. | Organization of time |
| A watch with a photo | Maybe change. | Medium. | Informativeness |
Once you have selected a photo, the widget is ready to use. You can replace the image at any time by clamping the widget again and selecting "Change Photo" or by deleting it and creating a new one, giving you the flexibility to manage the visual style of your Xiaomi device.
Creating a calendar widget with a background image
Many users want to combine functionality and beauty, so the calendar widget with the picture is a great choice. In the shell of MIUI and HyperOS, the standard calendar often has a transparent background or minimalist design, but it can be customized.
To install a calendar with an image, add the Calendar widget to your desktop. In some versions of the system, you can choose a style: Classic, Digital or C Photo. If the standard set does not contain the photo option, you can use the Themes feature. In the Themes app, go to the Widgets section and find calendars that support background images.
Installing a theme may require downloading additional components, and once you apply the theme, the calendar widget will display not only dates, but also the background image you choose, allowing you to keep important events in front of your eyes without sacrificing the aesthetics of the desktop.
⚠️ Note: When installing widgets from third-party themes, make sure the theme source is reliable to avoid conflicts in the system.
If standard tools do not allow you to achieve the desired result, you can use Google Calendar widgets, which also support integration with the system and can display events on top of the background, although the possibilities of customizing the background may be limited compared to native MIUI solutions.
Adding watch widgets with personal background
Watch widgets are among the most sought-after items on the desktop. There are many watch options on Xiaomi smartphones, many of which support setting a custom background. It's a great way to make the device unique by combining the exact time with your favorite photo.
To add these watches, go to the widget menu and find the Watch app, and the system will offer different designs: analog, digital, minimalist. Some of them have a special image slot, and when you choose this widget, you will be asked to download photos from the gallery.
You can adjust the color of the numbers and font to contrast with the image you've chosen. Readability is a key factor in creating such a widget. If the photo is too colorful, the time may not be visible, so it's recommended to choose images with a uniform background or use built-in dimming filters.
How to change the style of the watch after installation?
You should also look at the Always Screen On (AOD) widgets if your smartphone supports this feature, and although they appear on a locked screen, the way they are set up is similar: you choose an image that will burn with time in standby mode.
Display problems and ways to solve them
Sometimes users are faced with a situation where the widget does not display correctly, the picture is stretched or disappears after a reboot, most often due to a lack of RAM or aggressive battery optimization, characteristic of Android. If the widget disappears, check the settings of autorun and application operation in the background.
The problem with image quality (blurring or pixelation) is usually solved by choosing a higher resolution source file. Widgets on modern high-pixel density screens require quality source. The optimal resolution for a vertical full-screen widget is at least 1080x2340 pixels.
If the Photos widget stops switching pictures, check for updates for the Themes or Wallpaper app. Also make sure the app has permission to access the device's memory. Without that permission, the system won't be able to download new images for the slideshow.
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If the widget disappears often, add the Themes app to the power saving exception list (Settings → Battery → App Search).
In some cases, cleaning the app cache responsible for widgets helps. Go to Settings → Apps → All apps, find a system application associated with the desktop or themes, and clear the cache.This will not delete your data, but can correct display errors.